Napa County Biographies
Leander L. James
Transcribed by Pat Houser
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
Leander L. James, the eldest of the children of the late Bennett James, and one
of the leading businessmen of Napa, is a native of Harrisonville, Monroe County,
Illinois, born in 1861. When he was eight years of age he accompanied his
parents on their removal to California and was virtually reared in this State.
He commenced his education in the schools of Napa and finished at St. Mary�s
College, San Francisco, where he graduated in June 1879. Hardly had this event
occurred when he was called to assume the cares and responsibilities of
business, his father�s sickness necessitating our subject�s presence in the
office and yards of the lumber establishment in Napa. He at once set about
familiarizing himself with the details of the business, inside and outside, and
soon assumed the entire management, which he thereafter retained. When his
father�s death occurred, our subject was appointed by the Board of Supervisors
to fill out the unexpired term in the office of Sheriff, and although only two
months of the term remained, he settled up in a most complete manner, all his
father�s official business. Regarding his appointment to this position, the
Napa Journal of December 4, 1884, says:
�A Graceful Compliment.�
�The Board of Supervisors met pursuant to call last Monday morning for the
purpose of filling the official vacancy caused by the death of Sheriff James.
All the members were present, and they decided unanimously to appoint Mr.
Leander L. James, eldest son of the deceased Sheriff, to fill the unexpired term
which runs till the first Monday in January. Mr. James the same day filed the
necessary bond with the following sureties:
A.G. Boggs, John Even and J. A. McClelland, in the sum of $5,000 each; F. Borreo
and C.B. Seeley in the sum of $2,500 each. The appointment of Mr. James meets
with approval everywhere, and is a grateful acknowledgement of the popularity of
the deceased Sheriff, and the respect in which he was held by the people of Napa
County. The new Sheriff is a young man of excellent character, enjoys the
confidence and respect of all who know him, and will no doubt discharge the
duties of the office during the remainder of the term in a satisfactory manner.
He is probably the youngest Sheriff in California, being but twenty-three years
of age.�
Since leaving the Sheriff�s office Mr. James has, with the exception of the
commendable interest he has taken in the advancement of the welfare of this
community, devoted his entire attention to the lumber business of the firm of L.
L. James & Co. This business was started about 1875, by James & Boggs, but
since 1886 has been conducted under the present firm title. A large wholesale
and retail business is done in redwood and pine lumber, importations being made
direct from the Humboldt region and from Puget Sound. Their yards are located
adjacent to the river, so that they have unusual facilities for the speedy
loading and unloading of vessels. Besides their large local and water trade,
they ship a great deal of building material by rail and team up the Napa Valley
and along its borders.
Much of Napa�s outside reputation has been achieved through the medium of her
splendid agricultural fairs and races, which easily hold a place in the front
rank on the Pacific coast. This reputation has not been acquired without hard
work, push and enterprise on the part of her people, and especially of a few
leading spirits. Among these Mr. James is recognized as one of the most active.
His labors as President of Agricultural District No. 25, and of the Napa
Agricultural Society (which owns the Napa Agricultural Park, at which the
district fairs are held), have been invaluable as a means of promoting a spirit
of emulation among the producers of the soil and of the factory, and last, but
not least, among the breeders of fine stock who have made California famous.
Good management is required to attract the best of these, and their coming to
Napa each year has now become an established custom.
Mr. James also takes a lively interest in the work of the Young Men�s Institute,
of which he has for two terms been President, as well as having served the grand
body in the capacity of Grand Marshal.
Mr. James is a Democrat, but though regarded as a power in political circles he
has never yet consented to stand for official position.
He was married in 1883 to Miss Sylvia McGlew, of San Francisco, daughter of
Thomas McGlew. They have two children, viz: Bennett and Leander L.
Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co.,
1891, Pages 740- 741